With the introduction of its iPhone 3.0 software, Apple provided an excellent utility for locating and helping to recover a lost iPhone. In my tests, "Find my iPhone" located my phone on a Google map within 20 yards. I was able to display a message I typed, and sound a loud chime tone on the phone. If you don't get your phone back after all of that, you can do a remote "wipe" that will permanently delete all media and data on the iPhone. If you are fortunate enough to get the iPhone back after a wipe, you can restore everything from MobileMe.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 15 minutes
Here's How:
- Update the iTunes software on your PC or Mac to the latest version.
- If your iPhone3G (iPhone3GS comes with 3.0 installed) is not yet running OS 3.0 software (tap "Settings" from the home screen, then "General" then "About" - see version), sync your iPhone to iTunes to upgrade.
- After the upgrade, turn off your iPhone, then re-start and tap "Settings."
- Tap "Mail, Contacts, and Calendars."
- Be sure "Fetch New Data" is set to "Push."
- Open your MobileMe account on your PC or Mac, and turn on "Find my iPhone."
- Follow instructions to locate, chime, and/or message your lost iPhone.
Tips:
- You must have a subscription to MobileMe to use the Find my iPhone service.
What You Need:
- iPhone3G or iPhone3GS running OS 3.0
- Subscription to MobileMe (see links below)
- Latest version of iTunes installed and running on your PC or Mac
